Scotland in May: Complete Guide

Looking for pros and cons of visiting Scotland with May, as well as best things to do at that time? You’re in the right place.

We arrived in Scotland on May 1st, and did a 2-week roadtrip itinerary around the country.

We had warmer and sunnier weather than usual, and overall, it was the perfect time to visit.

I’m going to share with you:

• Things you may not have known about visiting Scotland in May
• Pros and cons of visiting at this time of year
• Awesome things to do in Scotland in May in particular

So, let’s dive in!

Weather in Scotland in May: What You Need to Know

Most sources online report that Scotland typically averages 8-13°C (46°-55°F) during May.

From our experience, it was warmer than that on most days. It was usually sunny, with some clouds – and it didn’t rain even once during our 2-week visit.

Most days, we were wearing long-sleeed-Tshirts, and we had hoodies and windbreaker jackets on us in case we got cold.

While spring in North America is known for rain, spring is actually one of the driest times of the year in Scotland. May is one of the drier months of the year. It didn’t rain at all when we were there, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for wet or chilly weather.

Overall, I think we got lucky with the weather. But, it goes to show that sunny weather is as possible as rainy, and cold weather.

Bring a mix of items (T-shirts, caps, as well as sweaters and a windbreaker) so that you have options for the chilly and warm days.

Useful Facts to Know about Scotland During May

• May is the start of many outdoor ‘summer’ activities. May is when boat cruises, hiking and other summer-like activities go into full swing in Scotland
• May is the start of midge season, a small bug that looks like a mosquito and very common in Scotland. Midge bites aren’t serious, but annoying. We didn’t have any problems with midges in Scotland
• Expect tourist attractions to be busy. May is quieter than June or July, but the hyper-popular areas like Edinburgh or Isle of Skye will still feel overcrowded, even in May.

Overall, May was a really good time to visit Scotland. It is such a beautiful country, with so many dramatic cliffs, castles, lakes and rocky shorelines.

We found Scotland a bit busier than Ireland in May, but we also think the scenery tends to be more stunning. We were glad we visited in May, when the crowds were still manageable.

What I Suggest Bringing To Dress for Scottish Weather in May

• A couple shirts, long sleeve and short sleeve
• A hoodie or sweater
• A waterproof or water-resistant jacket as an outer shell, for when you need it
• A hat – we used our caps (sunhats) much more than the warmer winter hats that we brought
• Water-resistant hiking boots, if you’re going to be spending time hiking or in the highlands. Otherwise, a good pair of runners will do

Special Things to Do in Scotland in May

There’s a lot to do in Scotland, year round. But here are the things to do in May that make visiting at this time of year extra special!

1. A lake cruise

Scotland has many beautiful lakes, and May is right after the Scottish lake cruises start up again.

The typical window for lake cruises in Scotland is April to October, so May puts you right within that range.

Here are some of the popular lake cruises in Scotland:

• Loch Ness Boat Cruises are popular for people wanting to get a glimpse of the famous Loch Ness monster. I recommend selecting the option that allows you to get off at Urquhart Castle, a gorgeous ruined castle that also has views of the lake.
• Loch Lomond is the largest freshwater lake in the UK, and it’s close enough to Glasgow and to Edinburgh to be a daytrip.
• Cruises of the Moray Firth in Inverness. Not a lake, but cruises from Inverness can take you to see wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins that hang out in the area. See details here

2. Hiking

May is the start if the season where it becomes safer to start doing some hiking in Scotland.

Hikes are possible before May, but the conditions in the highlands can be very wet, snowy and icy. May is the start of better conditions.

3. Cairngorm Reindeer Hill Trip

One of the most memorable things we did in Scotland was a Cairngorm Reindeer Hill Trip.

It’s located within the Cairngorms National Park, and involves hiking up to the top of a small hill, where the only free-roaming reindeer herd in the UK hang out.

They run the hill trips year-round, but starting in May, you can bring young kids with you up the mountain. (They don’t allow this in the colder months, because of the dangerous risk of ice and slipping.)

So if you’re in Scotland with kids, in May then I’d especially recommend this special experience. (There were many groups with adults only, in fact I think we were the only group that brought kids with us.)

4. Attend a festival

There are some annual Scottish festivals that take place in May. They can make your trip extra special and give you a chance to join in a local festivity, if you happen to be in an area where one takes place.

Here are the festivals that take place in May:

• Edinburgh International Children’s Festival, perfect if you’re in Edinburgh with kids
• Arran Mountain Festival, for fans of mountaineering. Held on the Isle of Arran
• The Scottish Wild Food Festival, held in
• The Whiskey Festival, held in Speyside which is the northeastern part of Scotland where there tends to be a lot of distilleries – details here
• Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival, in the city of Dumfries
• Orkney Folk Festival, if you happen to be in Orkey, one of the northernmost Scottish islands

5. See wildlife

May is the start of the season where it becomes easier to spot wildlife. Some examples:

• Puffins. They head to Fowlsheugh, a nature reserve near Stonehaven (east Scotland) in the spring months to breed and spring is generally a good time to see them.
• Sealions. We saw them from a distance, hanging out on walks in quieter areas of the Isle of Skye
• Dolphins, as mentioned above – there are whale and dolphin-spotting cruises that leave from Inverness
• Baby lambs and highland cows. Ok, so technically not wildlife – but spring is the best time to see these cute and fuzzy animals, especially babies as they tend to be born in Spring. We saw little lambs everywhere we went, and it made me so glad we came in May!

Scotland in May: Common FAQ

Is May a good time to visit Scotland?

May was a great time to visit Scotland; we’d definitely go there again at that time of year. It was less busy than the summer months, it didn’t rain, and we had sunny days with some clouds. The weather was comfortable.

How much time do you need in Scotland?

Regardless of when you come to Scotland, you need at least a week to enjoy it. We spent 2 weeks in Scotland, but I have written a 10 day itinerary to condense it down (best for people not travelling with kids, as you can travel a bit faster than we did.)

I hope that this guide has helped you see why May is a great time to visit Scotland. I would highly recommend May over June or July, when the crowds will be much busier. Bring some layers, and you’ll be all set!